If the summer is any indication, you can pretty much count on having a green Christmas this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration believes we are 56 percent likely to have a strong El Niño event this year and about 84 percent likely to have at least a moderate. El Niño conditions occur when the atmosphere responds to warmer waters in the tropical Pacific seas. That causes the Midwest to have hotter, drier weather than usual. While the summer’s weather suggests that it is already having an impact, Weatherology meteorologist Mike Karow says El Niño usually saves its punch for the Midwest for the fall and winter.

Earth saw its hottest day ever recorded on July 5th when the global temperature was 17.18 degrees Celsius (62.62 degrees Fahrenheit). The three hottest days ever recorded occurred July 3rd-5th, 2023. Karow suggested the area could see some additional rain later this week, but added that you should not expect drought-busting precipitation anytime soon.